Long time fans of anything Massimo does, including the Whelk, but it had slipped and now it is back BETTER than Ever, simply outstanding service, food, and attention to detail. Can't wait to go back!
Susan
We've been many times and always enjoy a great casual meal. The new avocado Caesar salad is outstanding!!
Deb Stone
I haven’t been here in many years and years ago I would have had a higher rating. I was just slightly disappointed by visit this time.
The positive - when I walked in, the host told me my table was the first one closest to the front door, when he saw my slight hesitation he asked if I would prefer another table and brought me the “the garden room” in the back where it was much quieter and a much better option for the evening. The main room can be kind of loud and hard to talk.
For an appetizer, we ordered the deviled eggs and the tuna tartar. They were both pretty tasty.
For dinner I ordered the stripped bass, the fish was pretty good, it was served in a creamy lemon sauce but there were bits of lemon that had been stewed in the sauce which I ended up accidentally eating twice and it was was kind of gross. The potatoes that were served with the fish were cold.
We did order the French fries on the side, which were delicious - so I ate those instead of the potatoes that came with the fish.
The waitress as sweet and attentive as she was came over to “check” on our table maybe 5 too many times. It got to the point where it started to actually be annoying. I’m glad no one forgot us in the back room but it also felt like we couldn’t eat our meal fast enough.
Lastly, the dessert menu only had 2 options. Which seemed to go along with what I felt was a limited dinner menu as well. We got the chocolate pot, which was very good.
I think I was just slightly disappointed because I had such a fond memory of loving this place many years ago, and felt like it didn’t live up to the standard I remembered.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Susanne
The Whelk is a totally delightful experience - except for one thing which they quickly fixed. It's known to have a high noise level, but the food is so delicious that we usually tolerate the noise. Last night though, the 4 people who sat down next to us were excessively noise. But our waiter came to the rescue and moved us to another table. Dinner was delicious. I rarely finish my whole meal, taking half of it home. That was not the case lst night. I ate, with great pleasure, the pasta with shellfish dish (I can't remember what it was called.). Every bite was an experience in enjoying all its flavors - the clammy sauce, the lemon, the subtle vegetables. We skipped dessert, opting instead for ice cream across the plaza which we enjoyed while sitting near one of the outdoor firepits. The whole experience was superb.
diane
We have been to the Whelk many times but it had been nearly a year since we were there. To our amazement it was available for a rez on a Saturday night. Same vibe, very busy, no real change. However, the food experience was utterly disappointing. The trout spread was ok, IMO crackers and better bread would help the appetizer . . . stale quartered white bread is maybe quaint but not great. We ordered the bib salad which was drowning in salad dressing . . . we couldn't eat it. I had the linguine w/ clam sauce and it's hard to describe but the herbs and seasoning were too strong and just didn't blend with the dish at all. My friend had the scallops dish which she said was ok, nothing special. The wine selection was good. Something happened to Whelk, we use to love it . . . A new Chef!? Not sure but definitely will not return.
Judy
Haven't been to the whelk in years. Happy to report that the noise level is noticeably down and no longer intolerable. Most of the food was delicious, though the cavatelli was not.
Stephanie
We have been coming here for special occasions since they opened over a decade ago and have never been disappointed! Things that are challenging to prepare, like octopus and calamari— are mouthwateringly delicious here. Be sure to get the mushroom side dish with the egg yolk, we always get two orders because they are so good!
Angela
Even though we made a reservation our table was not ready when we got there. We sat at the bar and still a table was not ready. We ended up getting seating in not the main dining room.
Gary
We used to enjoy this restaurant. Not so much after this visit. The bread crumbs on the first batch of baked oysters were actually burned black. I could smell the burn before the server set them down. I sent them back but they should never have left the kitchen. The second batch were fine and a good appetizer dish. My spouse had the mushrooms which were good but a much smaller portion than they used to serve. BUT, it was 20 minutes between the time they served the oysters and her appetizer. The manager explained the kitchen was busy. My scallop main course was ok but I thought the scallops were smallish and overcooked but the beans were very tasty. The restaurants adds a "kitchen tip" of over 3 percent to the meal, including on the wine. Then you are asked to leave a tip for servers on the cost of the meal, which includes the kitchen tip so you are leaving a tip on a tip. I almost always leave a tip of 20 % or more on a meal but left 18% because of that. Maybe this was a one off experience but I won't be going back soon
Hjalmar
The oysters were delicious and really do not need the ketchup, or other condiments. Cavatelli in black squid ink are very tasty.
Got the oysters and they were excellent and they had a decent range of options. It was unclear where the entrance was and we ended up walking in through the back. Host stand felt a bit awkward and we weren't offered outdoor seating even though it looked several were available. Just expected more.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Pamela
There were 3 of us at The Whelk. The service was incredible from the start. Oysters, salads, seafood and lobster pasta, all delicious! Really fresh. Did t have room for dessert - next time!
Margot
Every dish was absolutely delicious! Staff was friendly and attentive - ambiance was great We really enjoyed our dinner.
Adria
The food wasn't as good as it has been in the pst. Dinner portions were small and served on appetizer size plates as well.
Steve Grossman
Waited 30 mins for a burger. Resto was half empty. After 20 mins waiter told me burger would be out in 1 min. 10mins later I left. The Welk is going downhill.
Long time fans of anything Massimo does, including the Whelk, but it had slipped and now it is back BETTER than Ever, simply outstanding service, food, and attention to detail. Can't wait to go back!
We've been many times and always enjoy a great casual meal. The new avocado Caesar salad is outstanding!!
I haven’t been here in many years and years ago I would have had a higher rating. I was just slightly disappointed by visit this time.
The positive - when I walked in, the host told me my table was the first one closest to the front door, when he saw my slight hesitation he asked if I would prefer another table and brought me the “the garden room” in the back where it was much quieter and a much better option for the evening. The main room can be kind of loud and hard to talk.
For an appetizer, we ordered the deviled eggs and the tuna tartar. They were both pretty tasty.
For dinner I ordered the stripped bass, the fish was pretty good, it was served in a creamy lemon sauce but there were bits of lemon that had been stewed in the sauce which I ended up accidentally eating twice and it was was kind of gross. The potatoes that were served with the fish were cold.
We did order the French fries on the side, which were delicious - so I ate those instead of the potatoes that came with the fish.
The waitress as sweet and attentive as she was came over to “check” on our table maybe 5 too many times. It got to the point where it started to actually be annoying. I’m glad no one forgot us in the back room but it also felt like we couldn’t eat our meal fast enough.
Lastly, the dessert menu only had 2 options. Which seemed to go along with what I felt was a limited dinner menu as well. We got the chocolate pot, which was very good.
I think I was just slightly disappointed because I had such a fond memory of loving this place many years ago, and felt like it didn’t live up to the standard I remembered.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
The Whelk is a totally delightful experience - except for one thing which they quickly fixed. It's known to have a high noise level, but the food is so delicious that we usually tolerate the noise. Last night though, the 4 people who sat down next to us were excessively noise. But our waiter came to the rescue and moved us to another table. Dinner was delicious. I rarely finish my whole meal, taking half of it home. That was not the case lst night. I ate, with great pleasure, the pasta with shellfish dish (I can't remember what it was called.). Every bite was an experience in enjoying all its flavors - the clammy sauce, the lemon, the subtle vegetables. We skipped dessert, opting instead for ice cream across the plaza which we enjoyed while sitting near one of the outdoor firepits. The whole experience was superb.
We have been to the Whelk many times but it had been nearly a year since we were there. To our amazement it was available for a rez on a Saturday night. Same vibe, very busy, no real change. However, the food experience was utterly disappointing. The trout spread was ok, IMO crackers and better bread would help the appetizer . . . stale quartered white bread is maybe quaint but not great. We ordered the bib salad which was drowning in salad dressing . . . we couldn't eat it. I had the linguine w/ clam sauce and it's hard to describe but the herbs and seasoning were too strong and just didn't blend with the dish at all. My friend had the scallops dish which she said was ok, nothing special. The wine selection was good. Something happened to Whelk, we use to love it . . . A new Chef!? Not sure but definitely will not return.
Haven't been to the whelk in years. Happy to report that the noise level is noticeably down and no longer intolerable. Most of the food was delicious, though the cavatelli was not.
We have been coming here for special occasions since they opened over a decade ago and have never been disappointed! Things that are challenging to prepare, like octopus and calamari— are mouthwateringly delicious here. Be sure to get the mushroom side dish with the egg yolk, we always get two orders because they are so good!
Even though we made a reservation our table was not ready when we got there. We sat at the bar and still a table was not ready. We ended up getting seating in not the main dining room.
We used to enjoy this restaurant. Not so much after this visit. The bread crumbs on the first batch of baked oysters were actually burned black. I could smell the burn before the server set them down. I sent them back but they should never have left the kitchen. The second batch were fine and a good appetizer dish. My spouse had the mushrooms which were good but a much smaller portion than they used to serve. BUT, it was 20 minutes between the time they served the oysters and her appetizer. The manager explained the kitchen was busy. My scallop main course was ok but I thought the scallops were smallish and overcooked but the beans were very tasty. The restaurants adds a "kitchen tip" of over 3 percent to the meal, including on the wine. Then you are asked to leave a tip for servers on the cost of the meal, which includes the kitchen tip so you are leaving a tip on a tip. I almost always leave a tip of 20 % or more on a meal but left 18% because of that. Maybe this was a one off experience but I won't be going back soon
The oysters were delicious and really do not need the ketchup, or other condiments. Cavatelli in black squid ink are very tasty.
Restaurantji Recommends
Got the oysters and they were excellent and they had a decent range of options. It was unclear where the entrance was and we ended up walking in through the back. Host stand felt a bit awkward and we weren't offered outdoor seating even though it looked several were available. Just expected more.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
There were 3 of us at The Whelk. The service was incredible from the start. Oysters, salads, seafood and lobster pasta, all delicious! Really fresh. Did t have room for dessert - next time!
Every dish was absolutely delicious! Staff was friendly and attentive - ambiance was great We really enjoyed our dinner.
The food wasn't as good as it has been in the pst. Dinner portions were small and served on appetizer size plates as well.
Waited 30 mins for a burger. Resto was half empty. After 20 mins waiter told me burger would be out in 1 min. 10mins later I left. The Welk is going downhill.
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